Classifier



y H. HARDINGE ET AL 2,047,202

CLASSIFIER v 'originalFiled Dec; 22, 1932 9 Sheets-finest 1 .INVENTORS HARLOWE. HARDl-NGE. AND

RQBERT .u. eusssu,

'A'ITORNEY July 14, 1936. H. HARDINGEY ET AL CLASSIFIER I 'Origihal Filed D96. 22; 1932 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 mm mm mm IO N INVENTbRS 5462 "Asp SSE-LL.

E'I I56 ATTORNEY m; I .Pm I mm rm July 14, 1936. H. HARDINGE ET AL GLASS IFIER 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Dec. 22, 1932 A'I'I'ORNEY y 1935- I -I. HARDIN GE- ET AL 2,047,202

GLASSIFIER v Original ,Filed Dec. 22, 1932 9 she ts-Sheet 4 TTORNEY July 14, 1936. H. HARDINGE ET AL 2,047,202

CLASSIFIER Original Filed Dec. 22, 1932 9 Sheets-Shet 5 Fig. 8.

Fig. |l..

' mvzmons HARLOWE HARDINGE AND ROBERT J. Russzu.

ATTORNEY July 14, 1936. Y

H. HARDINGE EF'AL CLASSIFIER Original Filed Dec. 22, 1932' 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS HARLOWE HARD|N6E AND ROBERT J- RUSSELL.

MM Q" ATTORNEY July 14,193 H. HARDINGE ET AL I 2,047,202

CLASSIFIER Original Filed Dec. 22, 1932 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 I '5 v I I09 nnrnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnunnnnnnn I l V NT 5 HARLOWE "Awnin AND R BBER'F J. EUSESELL- ATTORNEY H. HARDINGE ET AL GLASSIFIER July 14, 1936.

Original Filed Dec. 22, 1932 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Fig.20.

DIEIGE AN D RUSSELL.

ATTORNEY July 14, 1936.

H. HARDINGE ET AL CLYASSIFIER Original Filed Dec. 22, 1932 HOG-H MODERATE SLOW SPEED RANGES OF CLASSIFlER UZE INVENTORS HARLOWE HARDING E AND Rg$ERT J RUS$ELL 8 0 ATTORNEY Patented July 14, 1936 PATENT OFFICE 2,047,202 crnssnnun Barlowe Hal-dingo and Robert J. Russell, York,

Pa" assignors to Hardinge Company, Incorporated, York, Pa". a corporation oi New York Application December 22, 1932, Serial No. 648,412 Renewed June 19, 1935 12 cm. (or. 209-4512) This invention relates to apparatus of the type used for separating various kinds oi materials, and more particularly to the type of apparatus used in the metallurgical and other industries for classifyng purposes. More specifically classifiers of the type falling within the scope oi the present invention find use in almost every metallurgical operation where a mill grinds ores. The devices are also used for a great many industrial purposes and may he used to wash sands, and other minerals. The devices may also he used in corn nection with grinding mills where they actin the capacity of classifiers which pass on as a product material of a given fineness but which returns the oversize material for further grinding.

An object of the invention is to provide an is proved classifier by which a close separation oi materials may be obtained and in which the prod net is uniformly. fine and the oversize is clean in that it contains a minimum amount oi hues which Should go out with the product.

Another object of the invention is to provide 'an improved classifier oi the type in which the fineness and coarseness of the product discharged from the classifier depends upon the speed of rotation and the character of the material fed into the classifier, and in which means are included for changing the rotary speed to vary the product in accordance with variations in the character of the material, so that a uniform product can he obtained. v

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved classifier in which the oversize material is adapted to be discharged from the main classilying chamber containing a plurality of buckets 'so connected with the main chamber that surplus water in the oversize material drains from the buckets back into the main chamber.

Another ehject of the invention is to provide an improved classifier in which the oversize material is adapted to be discharged irom the classifier by means of buckets so constructed that water and fines picked up with the oversize material are discharged from the buckets in advance of the discharge of the oversize material there-from.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved class fier in which the ungraded. material is delivered to a settling zone having a variable capacity.

no Another object of the invention is to provide an improved classifier of the character mentioned,

' which is simple in construction, and reliable and exact in function under all conditions of service. The invention also comprises certain new and useful improvements in the construction, arrangement. and combination of the several parts of which it is composed, as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:-

Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section of a 5 classifier embodying the invention, showing the same without any material therein so as to clearly bring out the details of construction;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the manner in which the material passes through 10 the apparatus.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure t is a vertical transverse section talren on the line t-t oi Figure l; 15

Figure 5 is an irregular vertical transverse section oi the discharge end oi the classifier talren approximately on the line t-t of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the discharge end oi one oi the louchet troughs shown in 20 Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a plan of the end of the trough shown in Figure 6, the cylinder associated therewith he ing shown in section;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail oi a portion of the discharge end of the classifier showing one oi the buckets and the trough associated therewith, a portion of the bucket being broken away to show the underlying structure;

Figure 9 is a detail perspective of one at the go buckets with a portion of the trough associated therewith; it

Figure 10 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line it-it of Figure 8;

Figures 11 and 12 are sections illustrating a a5 modified form oi huclret;

Figure 13 is an inverted plan, partly in section of the classifier, illustrating the driving mechanism;

Figure it is a vertical transverse section taken to on the line l t-it of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a vertical section taken on the line it-i t of Figure 14, showing the adjustable pulley in one position;

Figures 27, 28, and 29 are diagrammatic longitudinal views illustrating the material within the I helical trough under various conditions.

Referring to the drawings, the classifier comprises a main body portion or drum II, which may be in the form of a cylinder, as shown in Figures 1 and 2,. or the drum II may be constructed with any other desired configurations, such for instance as those shown in Figures 20, 21, and 22. v

The drum II is adapted to be mounted for rotation with the axis of the drum inclined with respect to the horizontal, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or if so desired the drum II may be so mounted that its axis is substantially horizontal. For most classes of work'it is of advantage to set the classifier at an angle but it will be appreciated that when the nature of the material being classified so demands it, the apparatus should be horizontally disposed in order to obtain the best results. Therefore, while the drum II is illustrated in Figures 1 and2 in an inclined position, it is to be understood that this is for illustrative purposes only, and that the classifier can be disposed in any other desired position.

The drum II is rotatably supported on a suitable base or frame I2 formed from I-beams and channels which may be welded and otherwise secured together to form a rigid structure.

Fastened to the exterior of the drum II and disposed'adjacent each end thereof are annular tires I4, I5.

The tire I4 engages rollers I6, Il on shafts I8, I9, respectively, and the tire I5 engages rollers 20, 2I on said shafts, respectively.

The shafts I8 and I9 extend longitudinally of the classifier and are disposed on each side of the center line of the drum II. As shown in Figures 1 and 13, the shafts I8 and I9 are journalled, respectively, in bearings 22, 23 and 24, 26, which are mounted on the frame I2.

For the purpose of preventing longitudinal movement of the drum. II with respect to the frame I2, a pair of thrust rollers 26 are provided.

The thrust rollers 26 are journalled in a bracket 21 carried by the frame I2, and said thrust rollers engage the opposite sides of the tire I5, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 13.

For the purpose of rotating the drum II any suitable mechanism may be utilized. In the present instance, we have shown the driving mechanism as including an electric motor 29, the shaft 36 of which is operatively connected through a pulley 3|,belt 32 and a pulley 33 to a countershaft 34. The countershaft 34 carries a pinion 35 which is in meshing relationship with a gear 36 on a countershaft 31. Countershaft 31 carries sprockets 38 and 39 which are, respectively, operatively connected to sprockets 40 and M on shafts I6, I9, by chains 42, 43.

For convenience the'left hand end of the drum H, as illustrated in Figure 1, will be referred to as the front end and the right hand end of the drum II will be referred to as the rear end.

The right hand or rear end of the drum II is the end through which material to be classified is'fed into the drum II, and the left hand or front end is the end through which the oversize is discharged. As shown in the present embodiment of our invention the axis of the drum II is inclined upwardly from right to left.

The material is adapted to be delivered into the classifier by means of a chute or trough 48 which terminates at a suitable distance from the right hand or rear end of the drum.

During the operation of the classifier the material discharges from the trough 46 in a continuous stream which may have considerable velocity, and in order to prevent surging of the material towards the left hand or discharge end of the drum, means may be provided for intercepting the flow of incoming material and directing the same at a moderate rate into the primary settling zone of the drum II near the right hand or rear end thereof.

Therefore, when the nature of the material being classified is such that unsettled conditions will be caused by the descent of the incoming material into the material which is settling in the drum I I, an inner drum 46 may be disposed within the main drum II in such a position as to initially receive material discharged from 'the chute 48. Accordingly, we have, in the present instance, shown. the inner drum 46 in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings. However, it will be understood that when so desired, the inner drum 46 can be omitted from the classifier without departing from the spirit of our present invention.

The inner drum 46, which is arranged coaxially 0 with respect to the main drum II, is somewhat smaller in dimensions than the drum II. The drum 46 preferably is formed with an inner end wall 41 which is closed, while the opposite, or

outer end of the drum 46, is open for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The inner drum 46 is so disposed within the main drum II that the ends and sides of the inner drum are spaced a suitable distance from the walls of the drum II, and as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the inner drum is held in spaced relation to the drum I I by means of a plurality of stays or rods 55.

The right hand or rear end wall 49 of the main drum II is formed with an opening 50 which may be of sufllcient area to permit the passage of the inner drum 46 inwardly and outwardly of the main drum II.

Projecting into the opening 50 and fastened to the end wall 49, is a conical band 5|. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the side wall of the band 5| is formed at a considerable angle to the axis of the drum II,'the smaller end portion of the band being disposed within the drum I I and the larger portion being disposed exterior of the rear end wall 49 of the drum I I.

The purpose of the band 5I is to provide an inlet opening for the classifier, and said band is so formed that the inner or smaller end thereof provides a lip 52 over which the fines and wash water are discharged from the classifier. The fines and wash water are then directed by the inclined wall of the band 5| toward a trough 53, as shown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 1, the band 5|, which is preferably formed from sheet metal of suitable gauge, may be detachably secured to the end wall 49 of the drum II by means of bolts 54, so that when desired the band can be quickly and easily removed for alteration or replacement. In some instances the class-of material being classified may be such that it is desirable to lower the depth of water in the drum I I. When this is the case, the inner end of the band 5| can be enlarged by cutting the material back on a line parallel I with the front edge of the band, or if so desired 15 the band can be removed and another band substituted having a larger inner opening.

For the purpose of conveying material from the right hand or rear end of the drum Ii toward the left hand or front end thereof and also for turning the material over in the wash water within the drum Ii means in the form oi. a helical trough or screw flight 5B are provided. s

As shown in Figure 1, the helical trough or screw flight 56 comprises metal bands 51, 58, which are arranged around the inner wall of the drum I i in the form of a screw and which are coextensive with said drum. While two bands are illustrated in the present embodiment of the invention as comprising the helical trough, it will be understood that when so desired the helical trough or screw flight 56 can be formed by a single band, the convolutions of which are arrangedin screw formarou'nd the inner wall of the drum i l.

The height of the metal bands W, 58 varies from end to end, said bands being of considerably less height at the right hand or rear end of the drum ll, than at the left hand or front end of said drum, so that the helical trough will gradually increase in depth from the rear end toward the front end of the drum ii.

In order to provide for a squeezing action of the material passing through the drum ill, the pitch of the helical trough or screw flights ht, is varied from one end of the drum to the other. That is to say, the convolutions of the bands ill, tit are so formed that the helical trough till is considerably narrower at the left hand or front end than at the right hand or rear end of the drum l i.

The construction and arrangement of the bands ill, W is such that a series of pockets or compartments are formed for containing the material,

the compartment at the right hand or rear end of the drum it being comparatively broad in width and shallow in depth, as indicated at W, Figure 1, and the compartment til at the left hand or front end of the drum it being comparatively narrow in width and high in depth, and also being less in cross sectional area than the compartment ht. The intermediate compartments ti, M, W

a and t ll, progressively change in cross sectional dimensions, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

As illustrated in Figures l, 2, and 3, the inner while the height of the bands til, til remains sub-' stantially constant through the intermediate portion of the drum ill which is occupied by the inner drum t6, the distances between the portions of the bands bl, 58 which define the compartments til, 62, and t3, gradually decrease from right to left, so that the cross sectional areas of said compartments are progressively smaller toward the left hand or front end of the drum ll.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, "and 4, the bands tl, 58 contact with the inner wall of the drum l i,

being made integral therewith, preferably by welding. These bands constitute a darn for preventing the passage of water and fines along the inner surface of the drum H, since a water tight joint is formed between the edges of the bands and the inner wall of the drum. If so desired, steps 66 can be formed in th bands 51, 58 where the height thereof is increased,

as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4. By providing steps it is easier to shape the metal constituting the bands before said bands are installed in position within the drum I i.

Any suitable means may be utilized for removing the coarse material from the front end of the classifier. In the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated, the discharge means comprises a plurality of elevators or buckets 61 which are adapted to scoop up the material in the left hand or front end of the drum i l and deposit the same into a discharge trough 68.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5, thebuckets 61 are disposed within an annular casing 69 having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the drum ll.

If so desired, the walls of the casing 69 can be formed as a continuation of the wall of the drum ll, said casing having a rear wall ill, whichis welded or otherwise connected to the end of the wall of the drum. The casing 69 also has an annular side wall if, and a front wall l2, (see also Figures 8 and 11). The front wall l2 has an opening it formed therein through which the discharge trough tt projects.

Theleft hand or front end of the drum i i opens directly into the casing 89. The helical trough 5t terminates adjacent to the junction of the drum H with the casing 69, so that the material,

in moving forwardly through the drum ii, is 5- caused to spill over the lip it provided by the last convolution of the helical trough and be deposited into the bottom of the casing t9 (see Figures 1 and 2).

The buckets W are so constructed that the 1- material deposited in the bottom of the casing 69 The main body portion of each bucket is preferably formed from a blank of metal which is bent to provide side walls "it and an end wall till, said walls projecting upwardly from the bottom it. The side walls it fit snugly between the walls it and it of the casing 69, as shown in Figure 10, and the end wall til is curved to conform with the curvature of the wall ll of the casing (39, as shown in Figure 5. The joints between the walls ill and fill are closed by means of welding or in. any other suitable manner.

The upper bottom ll may comprise a plate with an area slightly less than the area of the bottom it, so that a small space or gap Bi is formed between the edges of the upper bottomll and the walls l9 and BI). The purpose of the space or gap Bi is to permit the water present in the oversize material picked up by the buckets to quickly drain from the material when the buckets emerge from the water in the bottom of the casing 69, and in order to direct the surplus water to the rear of the buckets and also to prevent the material from spilling over the front or outer edges of the buckets while the water is settling out, the upper bottom I1 is disposedat an angle, both longitudinally and transversely with respect to the lower bottom 18, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, and the outer portion of the bottom 11 is bent upwardly, as indicated at 82, Figure 9.

' The plate comprising the upper bottom 11 is secured to the walls 19 and by spots of welding as indicated at 83. These spots of welding are suitably spaced apart, as shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10, so as to permit the free passage of water through the spaces 8|.

As shown in Figure 5, the lower bottom 18 of each bucket extends outwardly a suitable distance beyond the up-bent portion 82 of the upper bottom 11, for the purpose of intercepting the overflow from the main portion of the buckets when the buckets move upwardly out of the material and wash water in the bottom of the casing 89,

and this lower bottom portion 18 thus acts as a deflector during a portion of each revolution of the device, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Associated with each bucket 61 is a V-shaped' trough 85 (see Figures 1, 2, 5, 6, '1, 8, 9, and 10).

The buckets 61 are disposed in the casing 69 at a suitable angle, and the troughs 85 extend from the wall II or inner portions of the buckets toward the center of the classifier, said troughs being disposed at an angle with respect to the buckets for a. purpose to be hereinafter described.

One corner of the bottom 18 of each bucket is formed with an opening 86, and the trough 85 extends inwardly from said opening to a cylinder 81 disposed at the left hand or front end of the drum II and arranged coaxial therewith (see Figures 1, 2, and 8).

Preferably the trough 85 is formed from sheet metal bent to the desired form. The outer end of the trough 85 is connected to the bottom of the bucket 5'! by welding. At the inner end of each trough 85, the metal is slit, so as to form a tongue 88 which is bent at an angle to engage the inner surface of the cylinder 81, as shown in Figure 7. The inner end portion of the trough 85 is bent at an angle, as indicated at 89, Figures 6, 7, and 8, so as to provide a deflector for directing the water flowing down-the trough 85 inwardly towards the right and into the end of the cylinder 81 disposed within the drum II, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

The buckets 61 are detachably secured in position in the classifier by means of bolts 9| (Figures 8 and 10) which are passed through alined openings in the front wall 12 of the casing 69 and the outer side walls 19 of the buckets. Bolts 92 are used for securing the tongue 88 of each trough 85 to the cylinder 81.

In some instances, it may be desirable to provide for a freer communication from the upper to the lower portion of the buckets 61 than that proided by the spaces 8|. When this is the case the buckets 61 can be made in the manner illustrated in Figures-11 and 12. As shown, the upper bottom 11 is adapted to fit snugly within the side walls of the bucket and a large opening 94 is formed in one corner of the bottom 11 through which the wash water can readily pass.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5, the trough 68 comprises a main body portion which is supported by a standard 95 carried by the frame I2. The mainbody portion of the trough 68 is U-shaped in cross section, as shown in Figure 5, and slopes downwardly through the opening 13 so that the material being discharged-from the front end of the classifier is directed toward a chute 96. At its upper end, the trough 68 is formed with a back 91 which extends upwardly towards the buckets 81. The trough 88 is stationary and its back 81 Is spaced in front of the troughs 85 so that the troughs 85 will clear the back 91 during the operation of the classifier. 6

Associated with the trough 68, is a pair of adjustable wings 98 which are disposed on opposite sides of the trough 68. The wings 88 provide a wide mouth for receiving material discharged from the buckets 81 and directing the same toward the trough proper. The wings are pivotally connected to the back 91, as indicated at 99 (Figure 5) and in order to retain the wings in their adjusted positions, slotted links I00 are provided. Each link I00 is connected at one end 15 to a wing 98, near the upper corner thereof. A bolt IIiI carried by the back 91 extends through the slot in the link I00 and carries a wing nut I92 which is adapted to clamp the link to the back of the trough 68.

Projecting through the opening 13 in the outer end wall 12 of the casing 89, is a pipe I04 (Figures 1 and 2) through which wash water is supplied to the classifier.

In lieu of the cylindrical drum type of classi- 25 fier shown in Figures 1 and 2, other forms of classifiers may be used, such for instance as those illustrated in Figures 19, 20, 21, and 22. In all of these various forms of drums, it will be noticed that the discharge ends are larger in 30 diameter than the main body portions.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 19, the inner cylinder 46 is omitted from the drum I2I. In other respects, however, the construction is similar to that previously described in connection with the preferred form of the invention. By constructing the drum I 2I with an enlarged end casing I22, an enlarged discharge zone is provided. This enlarged discharge zone assists the free flow of the oversize material carried through the drum by the helical trough The form of classifier shown in Figure 20 comprises a conical drum I21 having its side wall inclined inwardly toward the oversize discharge end. At the smaller or oversize discharge end, the drum I21 is formed with an enlarged casing I28. The drum I21 is provided with a helical trough I29 which may be substantially similar to the helical trough previously described. A 50 classifier of this type has a larger settling zone for fines, but a restricted zone for oversize. This is desirable for classifying some grades of material, since the enlarged discharge zone provided by the casing I28 has such a large capacity 55 as to prevent the oversize material from choking back into the drum.

In' the modification ofthe classifier illustrated in Figure 21 the drum I3I is conical and is tapered in a direction opposite to the taper of the drum I21 illustrated in Figure 20. The discharge buckets I32 are arranged around the enlarged oversize discharge end. The oversize material settling out and resting on the bottom of the drum I3I tends to travel to the left and is picked up by the buckets I32 and delivered to the dis charge chute' I33 in the manner heretofore described.

A combination form of drum is shown in Figure 22, wherein the drum is composed of oppo- 70 sitely tapered conical sections I34, I85, each of which taper toward the ends of the drum. In this form of the invention only the section I88 is provided with a helical trough I38. The end of the section I35 is formed with an annular 7 iii) casing [01 which is similar in form and function to the casings heretofore described.

As shown in Figures 19 to 22 inclusive, the modified forms of classifiers are each provided with a chute at one end similar to the chute 40 heretofore described, through which the material is delivered to the drum, and a chute at the opposite 'end similar to the discharge chute 80, and in the enlarged casings at the discharge end of the classifiers shown in Figures 19. 20, and 22, there are buckets similar to the buckets 01.

The effect of speed on a classifier of the type herein shown and described isof vital importance, not so much in the desire to vary the speed from one moment to the next, but the ability to operatethe classifier at the speed most suitable for any givencondition.

As will be hereinafter more fully described, we

illustrate one form of means for changing the speed of rotation of the classifier, said speed changing means comprising a variable speed transmission operatively associated with the electric motor 20 heretofore referred to, and

while we have shown one form of mechanism for changing the speed of the classifier it will be understood that other known types of speed changing devices can also be used without departing from the spirit of our invention.

As shown in Figures 14 andl'l, the motor 29 is slidably mounted on a base I fixed to the frame l2, so that said motor can be moved toward or away from the longitudinal axis of the drum H to loosen or tighten the belt 32.

tion of the crank or hand wheel I09 in either direction, 'that is to. say, either clockwise or counter clockwise, will cause, through the action of the shaft I0'Iyand lug I08, an inward or outward shifting movement of the motor 20, depending upon the direction ln which the crank or hand wheel is turned.

As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the pulley 3| is composed of two sections Ill, H2.

The pulley section II I is formed with an elongated hub H3 which is keyed or otherwise secured to the motor shaft 30.

The pulley section H2 is formed with a tubular hub I it which is slidably mounted on the hub I i3, so that the section H2 can move toward or away from the fixed section III for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

The portions of the pulley sections iH, H2 which face each other are inclined to provide conical faces H5, H0, respectively. The inclined the edges of the belt will engage the faces H5,.

H0, adjacent the periphery of the pulley, and

' when the sections Iii, H2 are spaced farther apart, as shown in Figure 16, the edges of the belt 32 will slip down the inclined faces H5, H6 and engage the portion of the pulley adjacent the hub 52. It will thus be noted that the construc- 5 tion is such that a pulley of variable diameter is provided.

The section H2 of the pulley 3| is urged toward the fixed section III by an cxpansible coil spring H'l, which encircles the hubs H3 and H4, 10 and bears at one end against a cap H0 carried by the outer end of the hub l3, and at the other end against the outer face of the section- I [2.

The cap H0 is retained in position by means of a thumb screw H0 which is threaded into an opening or bore I in the end of the hub H3. By turning the thumb screw H9, the tension-of the spring Ill can be adjusted.

The force of the spring H1 is sufficient to prevent a shifting movement of the movable section 20 H2 away from the fixed section Iii after the motor 29 has been set in the desired position.

When the motor 29 is moved inwardly toward the longitudinal center line of the drum H and the tension of the belt 32 is thus slackened. the spring Ill will urge the movable section H2 toward the fixed section III so that the faces ill. I ill will continue to frictionally engage the edges of the belt 32.

When the motor 29 is moved outwardly away from the longitudinal center line of the drum H, thereby tightening the tension of the belt 32, the spring I ll will be compressed, since the frictional engagement of the edges of the belt will force the'movable section H2 away from the fixed section Hi against the force of the spring H'l.

By thus varying the diameter of the pulley 3i the ratio of said pulley with the pulley 33 will be likewise varied, so as to effect corresponding changes in the speed of the shaft 34, and hence changes in speeds of the shafts i8 and i9, so that the rollers I5, ll, 20, and 2i are rotated either faster or slower and the drum Ii consequently will be rotated faster or slower.

In operation, assuming. that the classifier is charged with material and water. as shown in Figure 2, and the drum ii is being rotated through the operation of the motor 29 and the driving mechanism associated therewith, each of the compartments 59,-Bl, 62, 63, G4, and 60, between the screw flight or helical trough 56, will contain varying quantities of material and a corresponding amount of material will be in the discszlgarge end of the classifier defined by the casing The water line of the classifier is normally above the lip 52, heretofore referred to, and since it is customary to have the classifier in a slight- 1y tilted position with the rear end lower than the front end, the direction of fiow of water will be towards the rear end even though no extra wash water is introduced into the classifier through the pipe I04.

The rear end portion of the classifier as defined by the compartments 59, 6| heretofore referred to, functions as a primary settling chamber. During the operation of the device the coarse o jr f, oversize material will settle in the bottom of the" drum H, and the finer and other material which may have a tendency to float or is carried in suspension in the water will be carried out of the classifier by the water which passes over the lip 82. Y

The oversize material which settles in the bot- 7.5

In its forward movement through the drum II,

the oversize material comes in contact with cleaner and cleaner washwater, and as the material turns over, the finer particles which are disposed between the coarser particles are liberated, and the wash water carries these-particles of fines with it toward the overflow end of the classifier, In this way the water passing from the front end of the classifier toward the rearend washes the coarse particles clean of fines, dirt, slime, etc. 7

Since the wash water travels from left to right between and above the helical trough or screw flights 56, it will be understood that the speed of rotation of the classifier is a factor determining the rate of travel of the coarser particles from the right end of the classifier to the left end and-consequently is a factor in determining the degree of washing produced by the counter current of water.

Due to the construction and arrangement of the parts comprising the helical trough or screw flight 56, the depth of material contained in the successive compartments between the convolutions of the helical trough varies from right to left as has heretofore been described, so that, as the material moves toward the discharge end of the classifier a squeezing action is gradually imparted to the material and the oversize material is condensed or compacted. This condensing of the oversize materialis effected by the elimination of the finer material by the washing action and overflow over the top of the helical trough as the cross section of said trough becomes smaller toward the discharge end of the apparatus.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the purpose in so constructing the helical trough 56 is to build up the successive masses of material, so that when the material enters the last zone, as defined by the compartment 60, the proportion of wash water therein is considerably less than that in the rear or feed end of the classifier. 7

Another advantage resulting from constructing the helical trough 56 in such a manner is that the wash water, in flowing from left to right through the drum II, is caused to pass from one compartment to the next in a series of cascades, as indicated at the left, Figure 2, and in so doing the wash water carries with it the finer material which is disposed on top of the condensed oversize material in the several compartments (see also Figures 2'7, 28, and 29).

As shown, the height of the band 58 between compartments Gil and 64 is above the level of the water in the classifienso that wash water fiowing from compartment 60 is caused to fall in the form of a cascade into compartment 64. Furthermore, the height of the band 55 separating compartment 64 from compartment 63 is considerably higher than the height of the band 51 which separates compartments 63 and 62. Therefore, should the depth of the water in the drum H be lowered to a point below the upper end of the band 58 separating compartments N and 63, a second cascade will be provided. Since the height of the helical trough becomes gradually lower towards the rear end of the classifier, when the level of the water in the drum ii is further lowered, additional cascades will be formed. Also, should the discharge or left hand end of the classifier be elevated to a position higher than that illustrated in the drawings. this cascading effect can be produced without decreasing 5 the amount of wash water admitted to the classifier, since the rear or right hand end of the drum II will be so much lower than the left hand or discharge end of the drum, that the level of the water in the drum will not extend as far toward 10 the left as illustrated in Figure 2, with the result that additional portions of the bands comprising the helical trough 58 will project above the water.

Since the screwfiight or helical trough 58 terminates at the junction of the drum II with 15 the casing 69, the material will be discharged from the compartment into the bottom of the casing 69 and fall into the buckets 61. The buckets then carry the material upwardly in the direction of the arrow, Figure 5, and deposit the 20 same into the discharge trough 68.

Referring to Figures 2 and 5, the broken line 15 indicates the maximum height of water and material adapted to be contained in the discharge end of the classifier.

Under normal operating conditions the height of water and material will be that indicated by the broken line 90, however, when the classifier is operated at a greater capacity than that indicated, then the height of material in the discharge 30 end of the classifier will be increased until the wash water is above the lowermost. point of the edge of the screw flight 58. I

The buckets 51 are so formed that water is permitted to drain therefrom. The rotation of 36 the classifier is such that, as the buckets emerge from the water, the material will rapidly settle in the bottom of the buckets, causing the dirty water and the remainder of the finesto come to the surface. As rotation is continued, the dirty water and fines will decant off the top and drop into the secondary bucket immediately below the main bucket, as indicated at I03, Figure 5. The secondary bucket willdefiect the fines and water back into the bottom of the bucket compartment without dropping into the incoming buckets and from thence the water and fines will fiow through the troughs to the cylinder 81. From the cylinder 81 the water and fines will discharge into the drum l I, as indicated by, the broken lines Figure 2.

,As rotation of the classifier continues the oversize will fall oil. of the buckets i1 and will drop into the chute 88 as shown in Figure 5.

In some cases the material passing through the classifier may be comparatively coarse so'that when the buckets emerge from the water the material acts somewhat like a filter bed which permits water to percolate through. When this is the case, as the buckets emerge from the water, 60 the oversize quickly settles and the water drains off, being carried by the troughs 85 to the cylinder 81 from which it is discharged into the drum II. From the foregoing it will readily be seen that under certain conditions there is an appreciable 05 time element which is required for permitting proper settling of the oversize in the buckets and for effecting proper de-watering after each bucket has been elevated above the water line. Therefore, should the oversize be discharged too 7 rapidly the speed of the apparatus can be slowed down by changing the speed of the driving mechanism. On the other hand, by speeding up the classifier, the material conveying capacity is increased, so that the material is drawn away from 75 the settling zone at the right end of the drum II, and unless the speed is too fast, will increase the fineness of the product being discharged at the front end, since the settling zone is being relieved of solids, which will increase the settling rate.

By varying the amount of wash water, the fineness, as well as eiliciency, will also be affected. Increasing the wash water increasesthe dilution which increases the settling rate and also the fineness. With a.decrease in water, the opposite will occur.

The eilect of speed under various conditions and the necessity for operating the classifier at a proper speed in order to obtain the best results is very important.

For instance, let us assume that the classifier is in the form of an ordinary drum without a screw flight or helical trough.

When the classifier is operated at slow speeds, which, for such materials as ordinary limestone or silica sand, would be approximately three revolutions per minute, the appearance of the mass and liquid within the classifier resembles that shown in Figure 24. It will be noted that the coarser sands are at the bottom and on the rising side of the drum II and that there is a very slight tendency of a circulating effect within the drum near the point of contact against the wall thereof. This tendency is not marked and is practically non-existent toward the central overflow point as defined by the lip 52. Hence any material and liquid in the drum H is not agitated to an extent which would appreciably affect the whole mass throughout the classifier.

When the classifier is speeded up appreciably, conditions change. This is illustrated in Figure 25, where it will be noted that there is a much.

, greater circulating effect throughout the classiticles will have settled out below the overflow opening 52 before such particles get to said opening, even though the current is quite rapid from the outside periphery toward the center and out over to the other side, as indicated. It will be seen here that as the speed increases, this circulating effect also increases and there will be a greater tendency for the coarser particles to pass across the overflow opening 52 and flow out.

At high speeds, as shown in Figure 26, the rotation is so rapid that the wholemass acts almost-as a unit and none but the very coarsest pieces will tend to settle out at all, and even the coarsest pieces, if the pulp is not very thin, will float out of the overflow opening 52.

Now assuming that we have a spiral in the classifier, not necessarily of the squeeze spiral type as is the helical-trough 56, but an ordinary spiral, in order to remove the oversize or sands as they settle on the bottom of the classifier, another condition exlsts.

Again referring to Figure 24, it will be noted that as the sands settle and the classifier is rotated, the spiral will remove these sands away fromthe rear end or fines discharge end of the classifier and toward the front end or coarse discharge section. If the classifier is operated very slowly, and the spirals still are able to take care "of the mass being settled out, the actual settling volume will be somewhat less than if the classifier is at a higher speed and the mass drawn away faster, which would mean more settling 5 volume. Therefore, within this range of speed,

an increase in speed will cause an increase in set tling volume which will increase the settling rate and consequently increase the fineness of the overflow. This condition will continue until the speed becomes sufficiently high to cause the action previously described, and illustrated in Figure 25, at which time a further increase in speed will actually cause a decrease in fineness and will so continue with further increases in speed.

In any chamber containing a liquid and-solid particles of different masses or sizes and of greater density than the liquid, the solid particles will settle out at various rates, depending upon the size and weight of the particles, counter forces opposing the settling, and ratio of solids to liquid. The density of the pulp (solids to liquid ratio) increases from the surface of the settling chamber to the bottom. The settling rate being a function of the pulp density, de- 5 creases as the particles settle from the surface. Removing dense pulp from the bottom of the settling chamber increases the settling rate in the settling zones above. It is in this manner that the fineness of overflow is improved by an 30 increase in the effective settling pond, resulting from decreased pulp densities at various depths in the settling zone, all of which is caused by the increased solids removed by the screw flight or helical trough spirals with an increased speed.

The effect of changing the classifier speed on the classifier overflow is graphically illustrated by Figure 23.

The conditions illustrated in Figure 23 are further enhanced if the helical trough or spiral is utilized, which is illustrated in Figures 27, '28,

' and 29.

At alow speed the capacity of the spiral is limited, and if the speed of the classifier is too slow, part of the sands will overflow or will be forced over the trough and will spill back into the settling zone of the classifier near the overfiowpoint. This action gradually decreases the settling volume, and as a result the overflow will contain more oversize particles.

When the speed of the classifier is increased slightly, the helical trough or spiral has a greater capacity, but with such an increase in speed the capacity is still not quite sufficient to remove all of the oversize particles. In this event the spiral 55 removes all of the very coarse particles, but the finer of the coarse particles will still decant over the end section of the spiral and will tend to go back to the settling zone. In this case, while the effective settling volume will be increased somewhat, it is still insufficient to prevent the finer of the oversize particles from overflowing with the fines.

When the speed is increased sufficiently so that all of the coarser material is removed and does 65 not decant over the last sections of the spiral, a. further increase in speed will have but very slight effect upon the settling zone of the classifier and therefore slight effect upon the fineness until the speed becomes excessive, all of which is illus- 7 trated in Figure 23. As shown in said figure, curve I25 illustrates the effect without the spiral and curve I26 the effect with the spiral.

The foregoing explanation of the effect of the speed, etc. upon the product obtained with the classifier, is based upon the assumption that there is enough liquid in the classifier to cause free settling of the solids. If the liquid is decreased, the pulp density is increased and the settling rate'is decreased, which means for a given condition, a coarser overflow will be produced, and an effect somewhat similar to that produced by a change in speed can be obtained by increasing or decreasing the wash water or dilution of water. The results, however, are limited and it has been found best to be able to change the speed, as well as the amount of wash water, in order to obtain the best combination or results.

From the foregoing it will be noted that there is a distinct range, wherein, for fine classification, a series of slow speed is desired, and that for a medium speed range, increase or decrease in speed makes very little difference, except as to the conveying capacity of the helical trough or spiral that may be in the drum, but does not have an effect upon the settling or classifying rate in the settling zone of the classifier itself.

With the higher or faster speeds a pronounced agitating effect is produced and there is not a sufiicient time element for the material to settle out before the material gets to the overflow point,

as previously described and illustrated by Figures 24, 25, and 26, and as a consequence only coarse overflows can be obtained. Here, of course, increasing the dilution will help, although there is a. time when so much water could be employed and the velocity through the classifier would be so great that an increase in wash water would actually decrease the fineness, as there would be insufiicient time to permit settlement.

The settling of solids in pulp is never absolutely uniform, and in or der to eliminate oversize in the overflow, it is necessary that many fines be removed from the settling zone near the overflow, along with the oversize. For a given spiral capacity at a given speed, these fines would be con veyed to the sands discharge end, assuming the spirals remained loaded to the same point. Decrease in the carrying capacity of the spirals approaching the oversize discharge and permits an oversize free of fines, it is necessary that these fines be returned to the overflow.

Thus, it will be noted that a variable speed will make it possible to give an overflow free of large particles, but some other means must also be correlated with this variable speed to eliminate these small particles from the oversize discharge end. If the feed volume and analysis were known and were invariable, a constant speed could be maintained all of the time for a. given design of spiral. Since this is not possible, to produce continuous, good performance, it is necessary that these two classifier functions should be correlated during operation, which is done by adjusting the classifying speed.

It will be seen in the foregoing that a change in speed, particularly in the low range, will produce a pronounced effect upon the fineness, which is highly desirable in order to control the fineness within the limits desired in any one case. The operation is not only one of producing a fine product but of producing as little fines in the oversize as possible and as little oversize in the fines as possible. Inorder to produce as little fines in the oversize as possible, it is desired to obtain a certain amount of washing back of the fine oversize through the application of the helical trough or spiral and necessitates the decanting of a certain amount of these fines or very fine oversize back to the settling zone. On the other hand, if the settling zone is decreased too much with an insuflicient carrying capacity of spirals or other discharge means, the overflow will contain too much coarse material. It will therefore be noted that the exact speed at which the classifier is to be operated varies with the character of the material, dilution in the classifier, and settling volume. It is very difficult to determine before an installation is made the exact speed which will prove to be best. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to change the speed of the classifier to meet mill conditions, and such a change should be made quickly, but not necessarily, while the classifier is in motion. Operating conditions often change materially from day to day, and in some cases from hour to hour, in which case it is highly desirable to have means for easily effecting a change in classifier speed.

An entirely different effect in the classifier is produced at the sand discharge end, where the buckets 61 discharge the sands or oversize from the classifier. At relatively high speeds the buckets 61 have a greater capacity, but inasmuch as the time element is relatively small between the time when the buckets remove the oversize from the liquid at the bottom of the casing 69 and the point of discharge into the discharge trough 68, as compared to the longer time element at a decreased speed, it would mean less chance for draining off the liquid and less chance for dewatering. Therefore, in certain cases where the settling end of the classifier is functioning properly within certain speed limits, a change in speed to effect a difference in moisture content of the discharge or actual capacity of discharge is of importance, and it is of advantage to provide means for enabling the speed of the classifier to be changed to suit this condition, even without consideration of the effect upon the settling volume, as described above.

The above description is based upon the hypothesis that the feed to the classifier is both constant in quantity and in fineness. As a matter of fact, practically every operationin the field is such that the quantity will vary or the fineness will vary, or both.

It can readily be seen that if the quantity of feed changes, let us say, the feed quantity increases, the result is that more solids accumulate in the settling zone, and more sands accumulate in the spirals. If the quantity of sands is too great, the coarse particles decant back, with the final result that a coarse overflow is secured. In this case, by speeding up the classifier, conditicns will be restoredto normal.

Likewise, if the fineness of the feed changes and the feed becomes finer, the spirals will become filled and the tendency will be to discharge in the oversize all of the oversize and medium fines without decanting back any of the medium fines. Therefore, in order to restore conditions so that the overflow will be returned to the same as the previous operation, it is necessary to slow down the classifier, in order to deliberately decant back some of the medium fines, which will then work back in the settling zone and produce inner drum disposed concentrically within the rotary drum, said inner drum having a closed inner end wall and an open end adjacent the feed opening of the rotary drum, means for introducing material into the inner drum, means for delivering material from said inner drum to said rotary drum, and a helical trough oi gradually increasing depth winding from the feed end to. the discharge end of the rotary drum, the con:

volutions of the trough being spaced from the inner drum and being disposed closer together at the discharge end than at the feed end of the rotary drum.

2. In a classifier, the combination with a rotary drum having a fed opening at one end through which the fines flow out of the drum and an opening at the opposite end through which the coarser particles are discharged, of means for introducing material into the drum, means for introducing wash water into the drum, and means for causing the material to turn constantly over in the wash water and to move through the drum in the opposite direction to the direction in which the wash water flows through the drum, said last named means comprising a helical trough of gradually increasing depth winding from the feed end of the drum to the coarse particles discharge end of the drum, the convolutions of said trough being spaced closer at the discharge end of the drum than at the feed end of the drum.

3. In a, classifier, the combination with a, rotary drum having a feed opening at one end and a discharge opening at the opposite end through which the coarse material passes, of means for introducing material into the drum, means for introducing wash water into the drum, and means for causing the material to turn constantly over in the wash water and to move through the drum in the opposite direction to the direction in which the.wash water flows through the drum, said 1 last named means comprising a helical trough of gradually increasing depth winding from the feed and of the drum to the discharge end of the drum, the convolutions of the trough being progressively spaced closer together as the depth of the trough increases.

4. A device of the class described comprising a main classifying chamber having a discharge opening at one end, an annular casing for receiving material discharged through said opening, a

' plurality of buckets disposed within said casing,

' oi superposed bottom members and an open inand a trough leading from the lower bottom member and terminating at said cylinder for car-dying liquid towards the main classifying chamber. I V

6. A device of the class described comprising a rotary dnun adapted to classify material mixed 5 with liquid, a casing at one end of the drum for receiving the material classified in the drum, buckets disposed in the casing for picking up the classified material, means for separating the liquid from the material picked up by the buckets, 10 and means leading from the buckets and terminating in the drum for returning the liquid to the drum.

7. In a classifier, the combination with a main drum having a settling chamber and an opening 15" at its rear end through which fines and wash water are discharged, and an opening at its front end through which oversize material is discharged, of an inner drum disposed within the main drum and adapted to receive the material 20 to be classified and discharge the same at a predetermined rate into the settling chamber of the main drum, said inner drum having a closed inner end wall and an open end disposed in spaced relation to the rear end of! the main 25 druni, means for supplying wash water to the front end of the main drum, means for conveying material through the drum against the current of wash water comprising a helical trough gradually increasing in depth from the rear end to the front end of the drum, the convolutions o1 said trough being spaced closer together as their depth increases, said trough being spaced from the exterior of the inner drum, means for rotating the classifier, means associated with the rotating means for changing the speed of rotation, a dischargetrough at the front end oi the classifier, an annular series of buckets carried by the classifier and rotating therewith for picking up the material at the front end of the classiher and depositing the same in said discharge trough, means for draining surplus water from the material in the buckets, and a trough leading from each bucket for conveying the surplus water to the main drum.

8. In a classifier, the combination with a rotary drum having a feed opening at one end and an oversize material discharge opening at the opposite end,/oi means for causing the material in the drum to turn constantly over and to move through the drum from the feed end to the oversize material discharge end thereof, said means comprising a helical trough of gradually increasing depth winding from the feed end of the drum to the oversize material dischargeend oi the drum, the convolutions of said trough being spaced closer at the oversize material discharge end of the drum than at the feed end of the drum.

9. In a classifier, the combination with a rotary drum having a feed opening at one end and a discharge opening for the oversize material at the opposite end, of means for causing the material to turn constantly over in the drum, comprising a helical trough of gradually increasing depth winding from the feed end of the drum to the oversize material discharge end of the drum, the convolutions of the trough being progressively spaced closer together as the depth of the trough increases.

10. In a classifier, the combination with a retatable drum having a fines material discharge opening'at one end and an oversize material discharge opening at the opposite end, of means for moving the-material through the drum, comprisv ing a. screw flight disposed around the interior oi the drum, said screw flight decreasing in pitch and increasing in depth from the flnesdischarge end toward the oversize discharge end of the drum, the decrease in pitch oi said screw flight being at a greater rate than the increase in depth with respect to the volume, whereby the net volume of material carried by the screw flight constantly decreases toward the oversize discharge end of the drum.

11. A classifier comprising a cylinder, and material conveying means within said cylinder comprising a helical band arranged around the inner wall of the cylinder, the height of said band increasing from one end towards the other end of the cylinder, and the convolutions of said helical band varying from one end towards theother end 01' the cylinder, whereby as the height of the band increases the spaces between the convolutions of the band decrease.

12. A classifier comprising a rotatable drum having an impervious wall and a helical band disposed around the interior of said wall and extending throughout the length of said drum, the height of said band increasing from one end towards the other end of said drum, and the convolutions oi! said band varying from one end towards the other end oi! the drum, whereby as the height 01' the band increases the spaces between the convolutions oi the band decrease.

HARLOWE HARDINGE. ROBERT J. RUSSELL. 

